Francis` Tales - Francisvale Home for Smaller Animals

Mission
Statement
and Purpose
SAVE-THE-DATE...HAIRBALL 2014!
Francis’ Tales
Summer 2014
Francisvale is a no-kill
shelter whose mission
is to accept adoptable
cats and dogs and
provide loving care
while looking for
permanent homes.
In this issue
Paul Y. McCormick P. 1
Remembering
Paul Y. McCormick
Young Friends P. 2
Dogs trusted him. So did people.
 Shelter and place
abused, unwanted
and abandoned
companion animals
 Educate the
community to raise
the public’s
awareness of the
plight of homeless
animals and realize
the benefits of
adopting an animal
in need
 Ensure all pets
receive any
medically necessary
treatment, including
being
spayed/neutered
 Place in carefully
screened homes
 Advocacy and
outreach
 Manage and operate
a pet cemetery
HairBall 2014 Save-the-Date P. 4
Mary Hunt Davis Photography
Paul McCormick fought for the
misunderstood and vulnerable.
HairBall 2014
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Aronimink Golf Club, Newtown Square
HairBall Wish List
We are gearing up for HairBall 2014, scheduled
for Saturday, October 18th at the beautiful
Aronimink Golf Club. You can expect a sell-out
crowd, delicious fare, and a fabulous time! Join
the party!!
guests the opportunity to bid on a wonderful array
of destination packages. We are hoping you might
help us offer a stellar line-up this year.
As our annual fund-raiser, the HairBall is a critical
component of our annual operating budget. As a
friend-raiser, the event is the ideal setting to
acknowledge current supporters and welcome new
ones.
Do you or a friend have access to a Shore home,
an island time-share, a cottage in the country, a
unique experience, a hotel package anywhere in
the world or frequent-flyer miles to help us get the
Mary Hunt
DavisWe
Photography
winners
there?
would be immensely grateful
for help in this pursuit of terrific offerings for our
auction.
One of the key measures of a great event is the
success of the live auction which ideally offers
Please contact us at
executivedirector@francisvalehome.org
HairBall Sponsorship Opportunities
328 Upper Gulph Road
Radnor, PA 19087
francisvalehome.org
We have a great selection of other ways you can support the success of our signature event of the year.
As an individual, a family, a business or a community group, you can select sponsorship opportunities at
various amounts. Please contact us via executivedirector@francisvalehome.org to discuss how you can
help and how you will benefit.
610-688-1018
Please help Francisvale reduce its environmental pawprint and save printing and mailing
costs by sending us your e-mail address to executivedirector@francisvalehome.org
4
First Aid Supplies P. 3
He always said that reading dogs
came more naturally to him than
reading people, and it was clear
that dogs felt a special comfort
around him. Truth be told, most
people did, too.
Paul was drawn to “complex”
dogs. If a dog had very little
human socialization, and feared
people, Paul would sit beside its
cage day after day, letting the
dog merely get used to him
while tossing it treats, until the
dog looked forward to his
soothing presence. Finally, the
day would come when the dog
would wag its tail for the first
time. Paul had seen its potential
and allowed it to shine.
Paul played many roles at
Francisvale: volunteer,
handyman, landscaper, dog
trainer and behaviorist, and
problem-solver. To the dogs he
was known as The Treat Man.
To those of us who worked with
him, Paul McCormick was a
devoted friend. He never sought
acknowledgment for what he did
here – seeing a dog’s quality of
life enriched, finding it a lasting
home or helping a new volunteer
make progress with a hard-toreach dog was reward enough.
Although Paul peacefully left
this life on January 23, 2014,
his memory continues to thrive
at Francisvsale. It is hard to say
who will miss Paul more: Those
who worked with him, trusted
him, relied on him and
considered him family or the
Francisvale dogs he befriended,
desperate for the second chance
he gave them.
Biggles—a loveable guy.
Check out his story on
www.francisvale.org
George Clooney
A handsome little boy, tabby and white with a
care free, fun loving attitude, wandered into a
house with an open door. It seemed like a good
idea as he had nowhere else to live. The owner
of the house took him in temporarily as this
emaciated creature clearly needed some help.
She contacted Francisvale (FV) looking for a
safe haven for this precious
cat. He was immediately
given the name George
Clooney referring to his
charming personality and
rugged good looks.
After some time and good
nutrition here at FV we
became concerned that
Clooney was not gaining
weight. Extensive
diagnostics which included
abdominal ultrasound and
endoscopy revealed that
he has Inflammatory Bowel
Disease. As soon as we
began the proper
medication he started
George
rapidly putting on weight. He
went from 6 pounds to a healthy 10 pounds in
several months. His energy increased and
playing, snuggling and snacking were his
priorities. He is a very silly boy who loves to
jump very high to catch feathers on the end of
wands.
Several months after his recovery Clooney
suddenly became very congested and had
difficulty breathing through his nose.
With no response to antibiotics he had to see a
veterinary specialist yet again. This time he had
a rhinoscopy performed. The diagnosis was an
immune-mediated
rhinitis
or
extreme
inflammation of the nasal cavity. This
condition made it very difficult for him to
smell his food and it hindered his favorite past
time, eating.
Fortunately,
after
one
month of treatment the
inflammation has gone
down. There is some
permanent damage to his
nasal tissue however which
requires us to microwave
the most pungent food we
can find in order for him to
smell it properly. He lost
only a half pound through
this ordeal but we are happy
to report that he is back to
eating, playing and begging
normally.
If we had not put all of
these time-consuming and
expensive efforts into diagnostics our precious
George Clooney would have suffered and
withered away. Instead he can be found
sunbathing in the windows, playing or just asking
for kisses all the while purring, grateful for our
love, help and of course the endless buffet!
Clooney
“The only escape from the miseries of
life are music and cats...”
~ Albert Schweitzer
Friends and Family
Celebrate
Jessica Reilly’s Life
A legacy of caring for
tempest-tossed creatures.
Written by Lisa Contino
Friends, family and co-workers
have made donations as a
special memorial to Francisvale
to honor Jessica Reilly, who died
an untimely death at age 34 this
past December.
Jessica had an abiding love of
creatures great and small.
Growing up in near-by Gulph
Mills, Jessica felt the connection
to animals early on. As a child,
she nursed injured birds back to
health and released them.
Later on, vacationing at the
beach, she was befriended by a
stray cat. After she returned
home, she couldn’t stop
worrying about the stray, and
returned to rescue it. Sunny, as
she came to name it, became a
part of the family, and just one
of many animal rescues Jessica
embarked on in an all-too-short
life.
Animals weren’t the only ones
to capture Jessica’s heart. At
the time of her passing, Jessica
was living in Middletown, Del.,
and working as a Special
Education teacher.
Jessica is survived by her
parents, Edward and Kathy, who
live near-by, and by her sister
Kim. The funds dedicated in her
memory here at Francisvale will
be used to carry on animal
rescue and life-giving care that
became a vital part of Jessica’s
own daily life.
What You Should Know About Bloat
A funny name for a life-threatening problem.
by Heather Hennessey, Shelter Manager
Bloat is an acute problem that develops quickly in certain breeds of dogs. And it’s a
life-threatening emergency. The dog’s stomach fills with gas, fluid or food, then
expands. It can even rotate on its axis.
The technical term for this condition is gastric dilatation and volvulus syndrome (GDV). In mild cases,
the stomach doesn’t twist. But in more serious cases, the stomach can twist, pinching off the opening to
the stomach and trapping its contents. The stomach itself becomes dramatically distended.
Simultaneously, blood flow can be cut off to the stomach and the spleen. The dog can quickly go into
shock and develop breathing difficulty and even an irregular heartbeat. More than half the dogs that
develop bloat die.
What are some of the things you might notice in a dog suffering from bloat? A previously happy, healthy
dog will suddenly begin pacing and drooling. He may look uncomfortable and be unwilling to lie down.
The abdomen will look very distended and feel hard. Often times, the dog vomits unproductively.
Bloat requires immediate veterinary intervention; time is of the essence. Emergency surgery, to de-rotate
the stomach and remove any damaged tissue (stomach or spleen), is the only chance for survival.
Recovery may take several more days of hospital care to manage blood loss, cardiac arrhythmias and
dehydration.
A Case in Point: Lady
Though bloat is more often a risk for larger
breeds, it can happen to any dog. That’s why
we’re on the lookout for signs
and symptoms of this lifethreatening problem every day.
Bloat is a life-threatening emergency for your dog.
Take steps to prevent it, especially if you have a dog
that’s at greater risk. And learn the warning signs
and symptoms so you can take immediate steps if
your dog develops bloat.
“Never believe that a few caring
people can’t change the world.
For, indeed, that’s all who ever
have.”
~ Margaret Mead
HOW TO PREVENT
BLOAT IN YOUR DOG
Here are some simple steps you can take to
prevent your dog from developing bloat:
 Feed smaller meals two to three times per day;
 Restrict water for one hour before and after a
meal;
 Don’t let your dog exercise on a full stomach;
 Don’t let your dog drink a very large amount
of water at one time;
 If you have a high-risk puppy, such as a Great
Dane or Lab, consider having a gastropexy
performed at the time it’s spayed, reducing the
risk of bloat later on.
Fortunately, with early
recognition of Lady’s problem,
and quick action to correct it,
we were in time to save Lady.
Today she is back to her old
loving self, romping with
her constant companion, an
Akita named Marshall.
An affectionate, eight-year-old
pit bull named Lady, knows
why. When the staff arrived at
Francisvale on a Saturday, we
noticed her distended
abdomen—a cause for
concern. A short time later,
she developed more serious
symptoms, and we suspected
bloat. If it isn’t treated
aggressively and quickly, bloat
would almost certainly lead to
her quick death. So we rushed
Lady to a 24-hour veterinary hospital, where
the vet confirmed our fears. Lady had bloat.
As part of the surgery, the stomach is sewn to the side of the body wall—a procedure called
gastropexy—to ensure that this life-threatening problem will not recur.
Certain breeds are more likely to experience bloat, but
generally speaking, large and giant breed dogs with
deep chests are most at risk. Some of the things that
may put a dog at risk are eating one very large meal
daily, rigorous exercise close to meal-time and drinking
a lot of water in a very short period of time.
Lady immediately underwent emergency surgery.
The surgery went well, and Lady remained
hospitalized for another five
days to ensure full recovery.
“A dog is the only
thing on earth
that loves you
more than he
loves himself.”
~Josh Billings
Basic First-Aid Supplies for Pets
We get a lot of questions from volunteers and adopters about the basic supplies pet owners need for a pet
emergency. Be sure to have your veterinarian’s number easily available as well as the ASPCA poisoncontrol center, 1-800-426-4435 and these supplies:











Absorbent gauze pads
Adhesive tape
Antiseptic wipes, lotion, powder, or spray
Blanket (a foil emergency blanket)
Cotton balls or swabs
Gauze rolls
Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting—do this
only when directed by a veterinarian or a poisoncontrol expert)
Ice pack
Non-latex disposable gloves
Petroleum jelly (to lubricate the thermometer)
Pediatric Benadryl
 Rectal thermometer (your pet's
temperature should not rise above
103°F or fall below 100°F)
 Scissors (with blunt ends)
 Sterile non-stick gauze pads for bandages
 Sterile saline solution (sold at pharmacies)
 Tweezers
 A pillowcase to confine your cat for
treatment
 A pet carrier
The Humane Society of the United States put together a great list!
We Enjoy the Exuberance and Compassion that our Young Friends of Francisvale Bring.
Francisvale extends
heartfelt gratitude to
our friends at
They are developing their sense of volunteerism and giving back by collecting laundry detergent, peanut butter and cat trees and other much needed items.
Looking for that special gift for
an animal lover? – consider
making a donation to
Francisvale in honor of your
friend, family member or
associate. You can give online,
over the phone or by mail.
Corporate Day of
Service
Days of Service are a way that
corporations give back to the local
community. We are thrilled to
benefit. On February 28th – SEI
brought 8 people and transformed
the hallway with new paint. If
your employer would like to make
a difference at Francisvale, please
let us know. We’ll design a
memorable experience for your
group.
Styron’s Global Operating Center
in Berwyn, brought a team of
people for “stick day” at
Francisvale. The old cemetery
was full of sticks and limbs from
the winter storms. This group
worked hard to clean up the
property. This difference was
amazing! Jim Ward then brought
his crew over to mulch up the
sticks. A special thanks to both
groups.
Planned Giving
Interested in
Supporting Francis’
Legacy?
for the lay-out and printing
of this newsletter.
Their on-going support
means the world to us!
2
Looking for that
special gift for an
animal lover?
Julia Hickey with donations
for Francisvale!
Kylie Metzger and her family enjoy giving
Farrah a spoonful of peanut butter.
Art inspired by Kylie
Metzger’s visit to Francisvale
Colonel Flood’s 8th Grade class at VFMA
visits Sadie at Francisvale.
Remember Francisvale
in your will and help to
permanently sustain and
perpetuate our mission.
Please contact us at
executivedirector@
francisvalehome.org
to discuss this critical
component of our future.
3
Friends and Family
Celebrate
Jessica Reilly’s Life
A legacy of caring for
tempest-tossed creatures.
Written by Lisa Contino
Friends, family and co-workers
have made donations as a
special memorial to Francisvale
to honor Jessica Reilly, who died
an untimely death at age 34 this
past December.
Jessica had an abiding love of
creatures great and small.
Growing up in near-by Gulph
Mills, Jessica felt the connection
to animals early on. As a child,
she nursed injured birds back to
health and released them.
Later on, vacationing at the
beach, she was befriended by a
stray cat. After she returned
home, she couldn’t stop
worrying about the stray, and
returned to rescue it. Sunny, as
she came to name it, became a
part of the family, and just one
of many animal rescues Jessica
embarked on in an all-too-short
life.
Animals weren’t the only ones
to capture Jessica’s heart. At
the time of her passing, Jessica
was living in Middletown, Del.,
and working as a Special
Education teacher.
Jessica is survived by her
parents, Edward and Kathy, who
live near-by, and by her sister
Kim. The funds dedicated in her
memory here at Francisvale will
be used to carry on animal
rescue and life-giving care that
became a vital part of Jessica’s
own daily life.
What You Should Know About Bloat
A funny name for a life-threatening problem.
by Heather Hennessey, Shelter Manager
Bloat is an acute problem that develops quickly in certain breeds of dogs. And it’s a
life-threatening emergency. The dog’s stomach fills with gas, fluid or food, then
expands. It can even rotate on its axis.
The technical term for this condition is gastric dilatation and volvulus syndrome (GDV). In mild cases,
the stomach doesn’t twist. But in more serious cases, the stomach can twist, pinching off the opening to
the stomach and trapping its contents. The stomach itself becomes dramatically distended.
Simultaneously, blood flow can be cut off to the stomach and the spleen. The dog can quickly go into
shock and develop breathing difficulty and even an irregular heartbeat. More than half the dogs that
develop bloat die.
What are some of the things you might notice in a dog suffering from bloat? A previously happy, healthy
dog will suddenly begin pacing and drooling. He may look uncomfortable and be unwilling to lie down.
The abdomen will look very distended and feel hard. Often times, the dog vomits unproductively.
Bloat requires immediate veterinary intervention; time is of the essence. Emergency surgery, to de-rotate
the stomach and remove any damaged tissue (stomach or spleen), is the only chance for survival.
Recovery may take several more days of hospital care to manage blood loss, cardiac arrhythmias and
dehydration.
A Case in Point: Lady
Though bloat is more often a risk for larger
breeds, it can happen to any dog. That’s why
we’re on the lookout for signs
and symptoms of this lifethreatening problem every day.
Bloat is a life-threatening emergency for your dog.
Take steps to prevent it, especially if you have a dog
that’s at greater risk. And learn the warning signs
and symptoms so you can take immediate steps if
your dog develops bloat.
“Never believe that a few caring
people can’t change the world.
For, indeed, that’s all who ever
have.”
~ Margaret Mead
HOW TO PREVENT
BLOAT IN YOUR DOG
Here are some simple steps you can take to
prevent your dog from developing bloat:
 Feed smaller meals two to three times per day;
 Restrict water for one hour before and after a
meal;
 Don’t let your dog exercise on a full stomach;
 Don’t let your dog drink a very large amount
of water at one time;
 If you have a high-risk puppy, such as a Great
Dane or Lab, consider having a gastropexy
performed at the time it’s spayed, reducing the
risk of bloat later on.
Fortunately, with early
recognition of Lady’s problem,
and quick action to correct it,
we were in time to save Lady.
Today she is back to her old
loving self, romping with
her constant companion, an
Akita named Marshall.
An affectionate, eight-year-old
pit bull named Lady, knows
why. When the staff arrived at
Francisvale on a Saturday, we
noticed her distended
abdomen—a cause for
concern. A short time later,
she developed more serious
symptoms, and we suspected
bloat. If it isn’t treated
aggressively and quickly, bloat
would almost certainly lead to
her quick death. So we rushed
Lady to a 24-hour veterinary hospital, where
the vet confirmed our fears. Lady had bloat.
As part of the surgery, the stomach is sewn to the side of the body wall—a procedure called
gastropexy—to ensure that this life-threatening problem will not recur.
Certain breeds are more likely to experience bloat, but
generally speaking, large and giant breed dogs with
deep chests are most at risk. Some of the things that
may put a dog at risk are eating one very large meal
daily, rigorous exercise close to meal-time and drinking
a lot of water in a very short period of time.
Lady immediately underwent emergency surgery.
The surgery went well, and Lady remained
hospitalized for another five
days to ensure full recovery.
“A dog is the only
thing on earth
that loves you
more than he
loves himself.”
~Josh Billings
Basic First-Aid Supplies for Pets
We get a lot of questions from volunteers and adopters about the basic supplies pet owners need for a pet
emergency. Be sure to have your veterinarian’s number easily available as well as the ASPCA poisoncontrol center, 1-800-426-4435 and these supplies:











Absorbent gauze pads
Adhesive tape
Antiseptic wipes, lotion, powder, or spray
Blanket (a foil emergency blanket)
Cotton balls or swabs
Gauze rolls
Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting—do this
only when directed by a veterinarian or a poisoncontrol expert)
Ice pack
Non-latex disposable gloves
Petroleum jelly (to lubricate the thermometer)
Pediatric Benadryl
 Rectal thermometer (your pet's
temperature should not rise above
103°F or fall below 100°F)
 Scissors (with blunt ends)
 Sterile non-stick gauze pads for bandages
 Sterile saline solution (sold at pharmacies)
 Tweezers
 A pillowcase to confine your cat for
treatment
 A pet carrier
The Humane Society of the United States put together a great list!
We Enjoy the Exuberance and Compassion that our Young Friends of Francisvale Bring.
Francisvale extends
heartfelt gratitude to
our friends at
They are developing their sense of volunteerism and giving back by collecting laundry detergent, peanut butter and cat trees and other much needed items.
Looking for that special gift for
an animal lover? – consider
making a donation to
Francisvale in honor of your
friend, family member or
associate. You can give online,
over the phone or by mail.
Corporate Day of
Service
Days of Service are a way that
corporations give back to the local
community. We are thrilled to
benefit. On February 28th – SEI
brought 8 people and transformed
the hallway with new paint. If
your employer would like to make
a difference at Francisvale, please
let us know. We’ll design a
memorable experience for your
group.
Styron’s Global Operating Center
in Berwyn, brought a team of
people for “stick day” at
Francisvale. The old cemetery
was full of sticks and limbs from
the winter storms. This group
worked hard to clean up the
property. This difference was
amazing! Jim Ward then brought
his crew over to mulch up the
sticks. A special thanks to both
groups.
Planned Giving
Interested in
Supporting Francis’
Legacy?
for the lay-out and printing
of this newsletter.
Their on-going support
means the world to us!
2
Looking for that
special gift for an
animal lover?
Julia Hickey with donations
for Francisvale!
Kylie Metzger and her family enjoy giving
Farrah a spoonful of peanut butter.
Art inspired by Kylie
Metzger’s visit to Francisvale
Colonel Flood’s 8th Grade class at VFMA
visits Sadie at Francisvale.
Remember Francisvale
in your will and help to
permanently sustain and
perpetuate our mission.
Please contact us at
executivedirector@
francisvalehome.org
to discuss this critical
component of our future.
3
Mission
Statement
and Purpose
SAVE-THE-DATE...HAIRBALL 2014!
Francis’ Tales
Summer 2014
Francisvale is a no-kill
shelter whose mission
is to accept adoptable
cats and dogs and
provide loving care
while looking for
permanent homes.
In this issue
Paul Y. McCormick P. 1
Remembering
Paul Y. McCormick
Young Friends P. 2
Dogs trusted him. So did people.
 Shelter and place
abused, unwanted
and abandoned
companion animals
 Educate the
community to raise
the public’s
awareness of the
plight of homeless
animals and realize
the benefits of
adopting an animal
in need
 Ensure all pets
receive any
medically necessary
treatment, including
being
spayed/neutered
 Place in carefully
screened homes
 Advocacy and
outreach
 Manage and operate
a pet cemetery
HairBall 2014 Save-the-Date P. 4
Mary Hunt Davis Photography
Paul McCormick fought for the
misunderstood and vulnerable.
HairBall 2014
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Aronimink Golf Club, Newtown Square
HairBall Wish List
We are gearing up for HairBall 2014, scheduled
for Saturday, October 18th at the beautiful
Aronimink Golf Club. You can expect a sell-out
crowd, delicious fare, and a fabulous time! Join
the party!!
guests the opportunity to bid on a wonderful array
of destination packages. We are hoping you might
help us offer a stellar line-up this year.
As our annual fund-raiser, the HairBall is a critical
component of our annual operating budget. As a
friend-raiser, the event is the ideal setting to
acknowledge current supporters and welcome new
ones.
Do you or a friend have access to a Shore home,
an island time-share, a cottage in the country, a
unique experience, a hotel package anywhere in
the world or frequent-flyer miles to help us get the
Mary Hunt
DavisWe
Photography
winners
there?
would be immensely grateful
for help in this pursuit of terrific offerings for our
auction.
One of the key measures of a great event is the
success of the live auction which ideally offers
Please contact us at
executivedirector@francisvalehome.org
HairBall Sponsorship Opportunities
328 Upper Gulph Road
Radnor, PA 19087
francisvalehome.org
We have a great selection of other ways you can support the success of our signature event of the year.
As an individual, a family, a business or a community group, you can select sponsorship opportunities at
various amounts. Please contact us via executivedirector@francisvalehome.org to discuss how you can
help and how you will benefit.
610-688-1018
Please help Francisvale reduce its environmental pawprint and save printing and mailing
costs by sending us your e-mail address to executivedirector@francisvalehome.org
4
First Aid Supplies P. 3
He always said that reading dogs
came more naturally to him than
reading people, and it was clear
that dogs felt a special comfort
around him. Truth be told, most
people did, too.
Paul was drawn to “complex”
dogs. If a dog had very little
human socialization, and feared
people, Paul would sit beside its
cage day after day, letting the
dog merely get used to him
while tossing it treats, until the
dog looked forward to his
soothing presence. Finally, the
day would come when the dog
would wag its tail for the first
time. Paul had seen its potential
and allowed it to shine.
Paul played many roles at
Francisvale: volunteer,
handyman, landscaper, dog
trainer and behaviorist, and
problem-solver. To the dogs he
was known as The Treat Man.
To those of us who worked with
him, Paul McCormick was a
devoted friend. He never sought
acknowledgment for what he did
here – seeing a dog’s quality of
life enriched, finding it a lasting
home or helping a new volunteer
make progress with a hard-toreach dog was reward enough.
Although Paul peacefully left
this life on January 23, 2014,
his memory continues to thrive
at Francisvsale. It is hard to say
who will miss Paul more: Those
who worked with him, trusted
him, relied on him and
considered him family or the
Francisvale dogs he befriended,
desperate for the second chance
he gave them.
Biggles—a loveable guy.
Check out his story on
www.francisvale.org
George Clooney
A handsome little boy, tabby and white with a
care free, fun loving attitude, wandered into a
house with an open door. It seemed like a good
idea as he had nowhere else to live. The owner
of the house took him in temporarily as this
emaciated creature clearly needed some help.
She contacted Francisvale (FV) looking for a
safe haven for this precious
cat. He was immediately
given the name George
Clooney referring to his
charming personality and
rugged good looks.
After some time and good
nutrition here at FV we
became concerned that
Clooney was not gaining
weight. Extensive
diagnostics which included
abdominal ultrasound and
endoscopy revealed that
he has Inflammatory Bowel
Disease. As soon as we
began the proper
medication he started
George
rapidly putting on weight. He
went from 6 pounds to a healthy 10 pounds in
several months. His energy increased and
playing, snuggling and snacking were his
priorities. He is a very silly boy who loves to
jump very high to catch feathers on the end of
wands.
Several months after his recovery Clooney
suddenly became very congested and had
difficulty breathing through his nose.
With no response to antibiotics he had to see a
veterinary specialist yet again. This time he had
a rhinoscopy performed. The diagnosis was an
immune-mediated
rhinitis
or
extreme
inflammation of the nasal cavity. This
condition made it very difficult for him to
smell his food and it hindered his favorite past
time, eating.
Fortunately,
after
one
month of treatment the
inflammation has gone
down. There is some
permanent damage to his
nasal tissue however which
requires us to microwave
the most pungent food we
can find in order for him to
smell it properly. He lost
only a half pound through
this ordeal but we are happy
to report that he is back to
eating, playing and begging
normally.
If we had not put all of
these time-consuming and
expensive efforts into diagnostics our precious
George Clooney would have suffered and
withered away. Instead he can be found
sunbathing in the windows, playing or just asking
for kisses all the while purring, grateful for our
love, help and of course the endless buffet!
Clooney
“The only escape from the miseries of
life are music and cats...”
~ Albert Schweitzer